Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Cantrip celebrates release of first album in seven years, titled “The Crossing”

Cantrip is a leader in Scottish music. For over a decade, the power trio has been stunning audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with their innovative arrangements, un-produced sound and dry wit. From the strong base of Celtic roots their music branches out into and takes influences from the music of other European cultures. Weaving together traditional and contemporary songs and tunes, Cantrip takes audiences on a cultural journey, putting their own distinctive spin on the music. On August 1stat the Park Avenue Congregational Church, the band celebrates the release of their first album in seven years, “The Crossing”. Four years ago, guitarist/mandolinist Eric McDonald joined Cantrip founders Dan Houghton (pipes) and John Bews (fiddle). Trimming the band to a trio tightened the sound, and the addition of McDonald opened new musical doors. “The Crossing” is the culmination of four years with this new partnership. Longtime fans will be satisfied to hear that Cantrip’s identity is not only alive and well, but constantly evolving. First time listeners will be enchanted by the powerful tones of Houghton’s bagpipe darting back and forth with Bews’ soaring fiddle, all the while blending with McDonald’s foundational guitar to create a remarkably rich texture. The songs are shared, with all three members taking turns as lead vocalist, and are bolstered with three part harmonies and tasteful arrangements. “The Crossing” marks a major new development in Cantrip’s already storied history, and should solidify them as a mainstay on the Scottish music scene. Come see them in action!

Dinner and a show.

Tickets are available through eventbrite.com and if not sold out, at the door. Patrons are advised to purchase in advance as the first two concerts did. And those patrons who purchase tickets in advance have the option to support the local economy with a complete night out by enjoying dinner and a show - ticket holders for that evening's concert are entitled to a 10% discount at the nearby Thai-E-Sarn Cuisine, 1377 Massachusetts Ave. (781) 648-2223) OR Szechuan's Dumpling, 1360 Massachusetts Ave. (781) 648-8882. Reservations are recommended.

Alistair McCulloch is one of the most sought after fiddlers in Scotland today, both as performer and teacher. His versatility and breadth of repertoire have kept him at the forefront of the tradition for twenty years.

Alistair hails from Ayr in Scotland and is one of the country's best-known fiddle performers, teachers and composers. A past winner of many fiddle championships, Alistair is fiddle instructor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has tutored many of the new generation of rising stars.

To date Alistair has performed in over 20 countries, also including China, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Nigeria, Venezuela, Canada and throughout Europe. To date, he has released three solo albums, most recently 'Four Seasons in One Day' – says the Scotsman "As the mountain of fiddle CDs rises even higher, this one can climb straight to the summit ridge".

His tunebook the 'Alistair McCulloch Collection' was recently reprinted and he is currently working on a new collection featuring a number of commissioned tunes. Commissions have included a suite for William Grant & sons of Glenfiddich whisky and an orchestral score to celebrate the visit of the Olympic torch to southern Scotland.

Alistair has directed several fiddle groups and ensembles including the dynamic young group 'Innovation' and was formerly a soloist with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. His playing style is driving and precise, described by the Living Tradition as "fresh, fiery and full of fun".

Alistair is an enthusiastic and inspirational teacher and has recently been invited to tutor at the Swannanoa Gathering Celtic Week in North Carolina, the Southern Hemisphere International School of Scottish Fiddling in New Zealand and Boston Harbor Fiddle School.

Alistair will be accompanied on guitar by Eamon Sefton is a sought-after Celtic-style guitarist from the Boston area. His percussive rhythm and clever use of harmony have made him an ideal guitarist for many traditional musicians around Boston. He cultivated much of his talent at the Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, where he is now teaching guitar for the third year in a row. Later he spent several semesters at Berklee College of Music, where he greatly furthered his understanding of harmony and guitar technique. Eamon and is a two-time notloB veteran (Cat and the Moon, Fresh Haggis).

Newton:First two rows $25General admission $20. On a first-come/first-served basis, a limited number seats are available to seniors and students, $15. Total capacity 47.

Interested in dinner and a concert? Arlington patrons who show their server a ticket for that evening's concert get 10% off at the nearby Thai E-sarn Cuisine, 1377 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington.(781) 648-2223http://www.thaiesarncuisine.com/ORSzechuan's Dumpling, 1360 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington.(781) 648-8882https://www.facebook.com/SzechuansDumpling

"Fellswater is a dynamic instrumental Celtic music ensemble based out of Boston playing a wide range of music from traditional to modern compositions, drawing from the music of Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Canada. ..."

"Alistair McCulloch is one of the most sought after fiddlers in Scotland today, both as performer and teacher. His versatility and breadth of repertoire have kept him at the forefront of the tradition for twenty years. Alistair McCulloch hails from Ayr in Scotland and is one of the country's best-known fiddle performers, teachers and composers. A past winner of many fiddle championships, Alistair is fiddle instructor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has tutored many of the new generation of rising stars..."

For those who cannot attend the Arlington concert or prefer a smaller venue (PACC seats 90), or need to see this fine duo twice, notloB is also presenting Alistair and Eamon the evening before (Tuesday, July 21) in the recital hall at Carriage House of Violins, 1039 Chestnut St., Newton Upper Falls.

"The name is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements, likewise the compelling potency of their musicianship. Originally formed as a quartet, Cantrip sprung from a local session in Edinburgh fifteen years ago. Their driving music immediately caught the attention of the masses, and they were quickly signed to the Foot Stompin' label..."

Tickets, in the $10-$20 range, with discounts for students and seniors, are available through Eventbrite.comand if not sold out, at the door. Patrons are advised to purchase in advance as the first two concerts did sell out. And those patrons who purchase tickets in advance have the option to support the local economy with a complete night out by enjoying dinner and a show -- ticket holders for that evening's concert get 10% off dinner at the nearby Thai-E-Sarn Cuisine, 1377 Massachusetts Ave. (781) 648-2223) OR Szechuan's Dumpling, 1360 Massachusetts Ave. (781) 648-8882. Reservations are recommended.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

"The Concert (c. 1664) is a painting by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The 69-centimeter-high by 63-centimeter-wide picture depicts a man and two women playing music. It belongs to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, but was stolen in March 1990 and remains missing to this day..."

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